Ayla’s Voyage Blog

Publish Date: Friday, June 3, 2011
Hi again, everyone! A few days ago I posted a blog about my summer reading list. I included in the section of “Science That’s Fun Beyond Belief” a book called A User’s Guide to the Universe. I was truly blown away and honored that Dr. Goldberg, the co-author of the book, commented on the blog saying “Thank you” for the shout-out!

As a school assignment last year, I was asked to write a non-fiction book review, and because A User’s Guide to the Universe is one of my all time favorite books, I chose that for my review. Because Dr. Goldberg was so kind to both comment and tweet my list, I wanted to publish my full review of his remarkable book, and reiterate the fact that this title is a MUST read!

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Have you ever wanted to build a time machine and fly down a black hole? Have you ever considered what happened before the Big Bang, and what’s going to happen to the universe in another 13.7 billion years? Have you ever scoffed at the notion that an electron can be everywhere at once, but never split? Are you terrified that the Large Hadron Collider is going to destroy Earth? If any of these questions have ever kept you awake at night, then A User’s Guide to the Universe is a book for you.

Witty, humorous, and brimming with scientific questions and facts, A User’s Guide to the Universe is just that: the ultimate handbook and the necessary accouterment to any intergalactic adventurer, or maybe just a curious, aspiring physicist. Specifically geared towards anyone in middle school to college, this book is based on the simple idea that physics—and the universe, for that matter—is really, really cool! Unfortunately, modern-day studies have brought physics under the false rumor of being “uncool” or “boring” or just plain difficult. “Random encounters [between civilians and physicists] often reveal an almost joyful contempt, reserved specifically for the fields of science and mathematics. ‘Oh, I’m terrible at algebra!’ for example, is said in an almost boastful tone, in a way that ‘I barely even know how to read!’ never would.” co-author Dave Goldberg writes in the introduction. He follows up with the question, “why?” Why have astrophysics and cosmology gotten the reputation of droning professors, vague technicalities, and thoroughly ridiculous principles that have no effect on modern life?

In A User’s Guide to the Universe, Jeff Blomquist and Dave Goldberg not only prove the “physics=boring” equation false, but bring this mysterious branch of science to life in a vivid, lively and quirky story of the universe’s strangest conundrums and enigmas. Using a mixture of delightfully funny graphics, highly entertaining anecdotes, Science Fiction references, and questions every geek has ever asked, this books charms the reader and warmly invites them into the world of physics. Whatever you want to know about the universe—whether it be how to use a black hole as a time machine, or why electrons are everywhere while being nowhere—Blomquist and Goldberg weave such a seamless web of fact and humor that physics will capture the reader’s imagination and bring them closer to understanding the grand cosmic scheme. And, for those who avoid physics because of all the complex and lengthy equations, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s only one equation in the entire book: the very familiar E=mc^2, and other than that, numbers get left at home. It’s so easy to understand and so genuinely funny, that readers might just get blissfully lost in the universe and forget all their pent up resentment towards physics. That’s the magic of The User’s Guide to the Universe: it’s not science, it’s storytelling.

Organized into sections prompted by simple questions, A User’s Guide to the Universe covers everything from general relativity, to quantum mechanics, to the Large Hadron Collider, to the end of the universe. Plus, if you’re a fan of science fiction shows like Star Trek or Back to the Future, you’ll love the quirky references to the fact and fiction of these iconic interstellar series.

But it isn’t just the hilarity of these two physicists’ wit. It’s their earnest love of physics, and their desire to share it with a younger generation, who might otherwise remain ignorant of such a fascinating branch of science. “In an era when new technologies are constantly emerging, scientific literacy should be fundamental.” Goldberg states. “…you don’t need to have detailed knowledge of how physics works to appreciate the revolutions in quantum computing or cosmology. It is important, rather, to understand why these developments are significant, and how they are poised to change technology and our lives.” It’s pointed out several times throughout the text that physics is not just a background study, but rather a prevalent and very influential branch of science that allows for more than just text messaging and GPS—it allows for a deeper understanding of our origins, and our future. They point out that science is built to explain things, and to understand the future, what could be more fundamental than explaining where we come from? Their answer: nothing.

So prepare. Prepare to be swept light years across space to somewhere as close as Alpha Proxima, or as far as the universe’s end. Join these witty, humorous, and charmingly geeky authors as they guide you through the universe. For the teenage generation, this book will not only cause roaring laughter, but also a new interest in the study of space, the universe, and even far beyond. Seize this opportunity, and delve into the secrets of space with a truly exemplary book. As residents of not just Earth, but the universe as a whole, A User’s Guide to the Universe will be time well spent understanding every corner of our home.

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Also, some of you might want to check out Dr. Goldberg’s excellent blog and website:  http://usersguidetotheuniverse.com

He has some absolutely wonderful posts up, and continues to discuss some of the most interesting and perplexing science questions known to man. Thank you, Dr. Goldberg and Mr. Blomquist, for this exceptional read!